Clemency for Murder?

@porwest (92404)
United States
December 17, 2024 4:34pm CST
At what point does killing someone become justified? Certainly, I support self-defense cases and am a proponent of stand your ground and castle law. People not only have the right to defend themselves, but also to protect themselves. This puts me on the fence a bit regarding New Jersey Gov. Murphy's decision to pardon three women convicted of murdering their abusive boyfriends. I don't know all the details regarding the decision, but I would assume the abuse was clear in their cases. In that sense, is it murder? Or simply self defense? And while abuse is never okay, what level would constitute justification to kill someone? I mean, if I feel my life is in grave danger, I am allowed to remove that danger, including by killing someone. But who really determines the level of the danger in the case of an abusive relationship? A few whacks in the face? It's wrong. But is that enough to warrant killing someone? Or is it abusive enough to justify killing someone that lands you in the hospital with serious injuries? Where does the line get drawn may be another question? Can a woman kill her rapist? Yes. On the spot. But can she go back and kill the rapist a week later? No, that would be murder because the threat to your life no longer was present. I am not going to have too strong an opinion regarding Murphy's decision to pardon these women considering my stance on abuse. But I do think it leaves more questions than answers, and I am not sure it is necessarily a good idea nor a good precedent to establish. Or then again, maybe it is. What say you?
7 people like this
6 responses
@NJChicaa (120054)
• United States
9h
I saw the headline yesterday but didn't read the article. I just found one that said that a clemency review board had been set up and "determined that each of them had 'accepted responsibility for their actions' and were setting a positive example to others in their community." Personally I am far more comfortable with those women being granted clemency as opposed to someone like Kyle Rittenhouse walking around free. His life was never in danger until he had Mommy drive him to another state to insert himself into a situation that had absolutely nothing to do with him.
https://6abc.com/post/nj-gov-phil-murphy-pardons-33-commutes-3-womens-sentences-use-clemency/15664663/
3 people like this
@andriaperry (117130)
• Anniston, Alabama
7h
Let the bodies hit the floor! Some of these cases are self defense, some aren't.
2 people like this
@kareng (61153)
• United States
7h
I agree with you. If justified it's okay. If not, it is murder. As far as the rape case, on the spot yes, okay, but one week later no. Premeditated murder.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47611)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
7h
Killing someone in self-defence is one thing but killing an attacker a week later is premeditated murder, if they plotted and planned it all out. But what is it if the victim accidentally runs over their assaulter a week or two or months later without knowing that's who it was?
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (71518)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6h
Murder is yet another shade of grey in this country. I would need full disclosure to be objective to render an opinion. But, like you, I do believe firmly in stand your ground and self-defence. But, also, I kow that can be difficut to prove. Especially if there's no physical or visable trauma.
@RasmaSandra (80635)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8h
Taking anyone's life is unforgivable unless you are being physically threatened or it is you or him and your life depends on it,
1 person likes this